Birding highlights at Spurn Bird Observatory – November 2003

Main movements  and falls, etc ( with unusual species in bold )

1st       Southerly passage ;  Whooper Swan 12, Pink-footed Geese 96, Sparrowhawk 2, Kestrel 1, Lapwing 35, Skylark 30, Swallow 1, Waxwing 3, Blackbird 6 in, Fieldfare 8 in, Redwing 9 in, Rook 3, Lesser Redpoll 2.

Grounded migrants ;  Skylark 2, Swallow 2, Meadow Pipit 4, Rock Pipit 3, Robin 21, Stonechat 1, Blackbird 38, Fieldfare 12, Song Thrush 5, Redwing 18, Mistle Thrush 2, Blackcap 2, Hume’s Leaf Warbler 1, Pallas’s Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 3, Goldcrest 6, Firecrest 4, Bearded Tit 1, Chaffinch 8, Brambling 22, Greenfinch 52, Goldfinch 14, Siskin 5, Lesser Redpoll 3, Bullfinch 4 ( northern race ), Snow Bunting 18, Reed Bunting 6, Corn Bunting 1.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 3, Gannet 2, Kittiwake 5, Guillemot 1, Razorbill 1, Little Auk 1.

General ;  Water Rail 2,  Pheasant 4, Barn Owl 1.

2nd      Southerly passage ;  Whooper Swan 9, Pink-footed Goose 18, Brent Goose 3, Wigeon 12, Teal 1, Mallard 5, Scaup 1, Rock Pipit 2, Greenfinch 33.

Grounded migrants ;  Robin 13, Blackbird 33, Fieldfare 70, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 13, Mistle Thrush 2, Blackcap 2, Pallas’s Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 4, Firecrest 2, Starling 250, Brambling 2, Greenfinch 40, Goldfinch 2, Bullfinch 3.

Seabirds ;  Cormorant 2, Little Auk 2.

General ;  Water Rail 1, Hen Harrier 1, Barn Owl 1.

3rd       Southerly passage;  Whooper Swan 39, Pink-footed Goose 30, Sparrowhawk 5, Lapwing 45, Stock Dove 2, Skylark 46, Swallow 4, House Martin 1, Meadow Pipit 156, Rock Pipit 10, Alba Wagtail 3, Blackbird 3 in, Fieldfare 7 in, Rook 3, Chaffinch 3, Greenfinch 140, Goldfinch 62, Siskin 23, Lesser Redpoll 8, Reed Bunting 2.

Grounded migrants ;  Rock Pipit 2, Blackbird 23, Fieldfare 2, Song Thrush 4, Redwing 10, Blackcap 2, Goldcrest 2, Bearded Tit 1, Brambling 1, Bullfinch 2.

Seabirds ;  Iceland Gull 1.

General ;  Teal 11, Common Scoter 35, Water Rail1, Hen Harrier 1, Merlin 2, Jack Snipe 1.

4th       Southerly passage ;  Whooper Swan 7, Teal 1, Kestrel 2, Wood Pigeon 81, Skylark 180, Meadow Pipit 151, Rock Pipit 6, Alba Wagtail 2, Jackdaw 49, Rook 24, Tree Sparrow 11, Greenfinch 68, Goldfinch 33, Siskin 5, Twite 1, Lesser Redpoll 4, Snow Bunting 22, Reed Bunting 8, Corn Bunting 4.

Grounded migrants ;  Great-spotted Woodpecker 1, Meadow Pipit 4, Robin 19, Stonechat 5, Blackbird 60, Fieldfare 35, Song Thrush 4, Redwing 23, Blackcap 2, Goldcrest 7, Firecrest 2, Jackdaw 90, Chaffinch 20, Brambling 5, Greenfinch 55, Goldfinch 21, Twite 1, Lesser Redpoll 12, Bullfinch 1, Reed Bunting 10.

Seabird ;  Diver sp. 1, Gannet 11, Arctic Skua 1, Little Gull 16, Kittiwake 10.

General ;  Teal 9, Water Rail 1, Hen Harrier 1, Jack Snipe 1.

5th       Southerly passage ;  Whooper Swan 5, Teal 9, Velvet Scoter 3, Lapwing 33, Knot 14, Sanderling 13, Skylark 1, House Martin 1, Meadow Pipit 3, Alba Wagtail 1, Fieldfare 27, Rook 6, Chaffinch 9, Brambling 1, Greenfinch 23, Goldfinch 3, Lesser Redpoll 3.

Grounded migrants ; Skylark 2, Meadow Pipit 6, Rock Pipit 3, Pied Wagtail 2, Robin 17, Stonechat 2, Blackbird 43, Fieldfare 11, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 14, Blackcap 4, Goldcrest 3, Firecrest 2, Starling c.200, Chaffinch 7, Brambling 2, Greenfinch 60, Goldfinch 2, Linnet 4.

Seabirds ;  Gannet 4, Little Gull 29, Iceland Gull 1, Guillemot 1.

General ;  Grey Partridge 12, Water Rail 1, Barn Owl 1.

6th       Southerly passage ;  Pink-footed Goose 24, Brent Goose 5, Shelduck 12, Wigeon 380, Teal 26, Mallard 1, Shoveler 6 + 6 west, Eider 16, Red-breasted Merganser 2, Lapwing 11 in, Knot 39, Dunlin 22, Common Snipe 2 + 1 in, Bar-tailed Godwit 33, Curlew 1, Redshank 4, Wood Pigeon 4, Skylark 15, Alba Wagtail 1, Jackdaw 77, Rook 8, Carrion Crow 3, Starling 300, Greenfinch 48, Linnet 6, Yellowhammer 3, Reed Bunting 2.

Grounded migrants ;  Woodlark 1 on Clubley’s left north, Skylark 3, Shore Lark 1 at Middle Camp, Meadow Pipit 3, Rock Pipit 4, Robin 18, Stonechat 18, Blackbird 99, Fieldfare 4, Song Thrush 5, Redwing 30, Mistle Thrush 1, Blackcap 3, Goldcrest 5, Firecrest 2, Long-tailed Tit 4,

Starling 550, Chaffinch 14, Brambling 10, Greenfinch 72, Goldfinch 4, Siskin 4, Linnet 1, Reed Bunting 7.

Seabirds ;  Diver sp. 3, Great Crested Grebe 1, Gannet 1, Little Gull 1, Guillemot 1.

General ;  Brent Goose 170, Teal 17, Shoveler 1, Water Rail 1, Hen Harrier 1.

7th       Southerly passage ;  Great Crested Grebe 3, Brent Goose 23, Shelduck 30, Wigeon 199, Gadwall 5, Teal 26, Shoveler 3, Pochard 4, Tufted Duck 4, Scaup 13, Eider 9, Long-tailed Duck 1, Common Scoter 7, Velvet Scoter 2, Goldeneye 2, Red-breasted Merganser 2, Merlin 1, Lapwing 4, Knot 13, Sanderling 5, Dunlin 8, Common Snipe 2, Stock Dove 7, Wood Pigeon 3, Skylark 18, Swallow 2, Meadow Pipit 56, Rock Pipit 4, Alba Wagtail 2, Fieldfare 101, Jackdaw 55 u-turned, Rook 7, Chaffinch 10, Greenfinch 32, Goldfinch 2, Linnet 16.

Grounded migrants ;  Robin 18, Black Redstart 1, Stonechat 2,  Blackbird 102, Fieldfare 28, Song Thrush 15, Redwing 155, Mistle Thrush 2, Blackcap 7, Yellow-browed Warbler 1 at the Warren + 1 on Beacon Lane,  Pallas’s Warbler 1 at the Point + 3 on Beacon Lane, Goldcrest 6, Firecrest 3, Starling 50, Chaffinch 10, Brambling 11, Greenfinch 65, Goldfinch 1, Siskin 2, Twite 8, Lesser Redpoll 2, Hawfinch 2, Reed Bunting 8.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 4, Gannet 9, Little Gull 3, Kittiwake 18.

General ;  Mute Swan 4, Hen Harrier 1, Sparrowhawk 5, Red-legged Partridge 2.

8th       Southerly passage ;  Bewick’s Swan 8 ( 1st of the year ), Greylag Goose 8, Brent Goose 22, Shelduck 3, Wigeon 83, Teal 29, Mallard 3, Pintail 20, Scaup 2, Eider 31 + 47 north, Common Scoter 311, Velvet Scoter 1, Goldeneye 19, Red-breasted Merganser 6, Sparrowhawk 2, Skylark 3, Meadow Pipit 5, Starling 200, Lesser Redpoll 23.

Grounded migrants ; Woodcock 6, Long-eared Owl 1, Skylark 5, Waxwing 1 on the Point, Robin 27, Black Redstart 1, Common Redstart 1, Blackbird 285, Fieldfare c.700, Song Thrush 18, Redwing 175, Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 4, Pallas’s Warbler 1 at Kew, Goldcrest 3, Firecrest 3, Great Grey Shrike 1 at the Point, Starling 210, Chaffinch 7, Brambling 27, Greenfinch 55, Siskin 1, Lesser Redpoll 8, Hawfinch 2 at the Point, Yellowhammer 1, Reed Bunting 6.

Seabirds ;  Fulmar 1, Gannet 10, Arctic Skua 1, Kittiwake 4.

General ;  Hen Harrier 1.

9th       Southerly passage ;  Pink-footed Goose 1, Brent Goose 34, Shelduck 5, Wigeon 364, Teal 333, Mallard 5, Pintail 35, Shoveler 34, Pochard 20, Tufted Duck 27 + 17 west, Scaup 35, Eider 68 + 21 out, Common Scoter 301, Goldeneye 17, Red-breasted Merganser 8, Oystercatcher 3, Lapwing 25, Knot 5, Sanderling2, Dunlin 4, Curlew 2, Skylark 12, Shore Lark 1, Meadow Pipit 6, Hooded Crow 1 + 1 u-turned, Greenfinch 28, Lapland Bunting 1, Snow Bunting 1.

Grounded migrants ;  Skylark 4,Meadow Pipit 13, Rock Pipit 1, an elusive Olive-backed Pipit at the Point, Waxwing 1 at the Point, Robin 23, Black Redstart 1, Stonechat 1, Blackbird 99, Fieldfare 273, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 32, Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 5, Yellow-browed Warbler 1 at the Point, Pallas’s Warbler 2, Goldcrest 4, Firecrest 2, Great Grey Shrike 2, Jay 2, Chaffinch 9, Brambling 21, Greenfinch 55, Goldfinch 2, Lesser Redpoll 4, Hawfinch 1, Reed Bunting 7.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 1, Bonxie 1, Auk sp. 2.

General ;  White-fronted Goose 11 on the Humber, Hen Harrier 1, Sparrowhawk 4, Woodcock 1.

10th     Southerly passage ;  Brent Goose 6, Wigeon 144 + 40 u-turned, Gadwall 9, Teal 46, Tufted Duck 4, Common Scoter 199, Goldeneye 2, Red-breasted Merganser 9, Goosander 1, Sparrowhawk 2, Stock Dove 1, Skylark 9, Meadow Pipit 21, Rock Pipit 2, Blackbird 4, Starling 50, Chaffinch 3, Goldfinch 2, Lesser Redpoll 20.

Grounded migrants ;  Meadow Pipit 4, Olive-backed Pipit still present at the Point, Rock Pipit 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Robin 34, Black Redstart 2, Common Redstart 1, Stonechat 4, Blackbird 96, Fieldfare 68, Song Thrush 8, Redwing 60, Blackcap 3, Pallas’s Warbler 4 ( 3 Point, 1 Crown ), Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 7, Chaffinch 6, Brambling 10, Greenfinch 68, Goldfinch 2, Hawfinch 1, Yellowhammer 2, Reed Bunting 9.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver1, Gannet 1, Cormorant 8.

General ;  Eider 13, Hen Harrier 1, Water Rail 1, Woodcock 1.

11th     Southerly passage ;  Skylark 2, Chaffinch 6, Twite 1.

Grounded migrants ;  Skyark 1, Meadow Pipit 14, Rock Pipit 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Robin 34, Black Redstart 3, Blackbird 81, Fieldfare 50, Song Thrush 4, Redwing 35, Blackcap 2, Pallas’s Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 3, Goldcrest 8, Chaffinch 9, Brambling 10, Lesser Redpoll 8, Snow Bunting 1, Yellowhammer 1.

General ;  a Slavonian Grebe was on the Canal.

12th     Southerly passage ;  Teal 24, Goldeneye 2, Lapwing 43, Skylark 3, Meadow Pipit 4,  Lesser Redpoll 4, Snow Bunting 7 in off the sea.

Grounded migrants ;  Skylark 2, Meadow Pipit 6, Stonechat 2, Blackbird 83, Fieldfare 29, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 27, Mistle Thrush 3, Blackcap 2, Pallas’s Warbler 1, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 7, Brambling 8, Greenfinch 69, Goldfinch 2.

General ;  the Slavonian Grebe was still on the Canal, Water Rail 4, Hen Harrier 1, Jack Snipe 1.

13th     Southerly passage ;  Whooper Swan 4, Pink-footed Goose 175, Bean Goose 1, Wigeon 7, Lapwing 55 u-turned, Wood Pigeon 65, Skylark 90, Meadow Pipit 22, Mistle Thrush 2, Jackdaw 19, Starling 45, Chaffinch 7, Snow Buntitng 1.

Grounded migrants ;  Wood Pigeon 11, Skylark 8, Meadow Pipit 11, Rock Pipit 1, Robin 29, Black Redstart 2, Stonechat 2, Blackbird 64, Fieldfare 24, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 14, Blackcap 1, Pallas’s Warbler 1, Goldcrest 1, Starling 15, Chaffinch 11, Brambling 6, Greenfinch 75, Goldfinch 5, Siskin 3, Yellowhammer 1, Reed Bunting 12.

General ;  Slavonian Grebe 1, Hen Harrier 1, Water Rail 1, Woodcock 1.

14th     Southerly passage ;  Wigeon 2, Eider 3 north.

Grounded migrants ;  Meadow Pipit 2, Rock Pipit 1, Black Redstart 1, Stonechat 1, Blackbird 44, Fieldfare 1, Redwing 7, Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 1, Chaffinch 4, Brambling 2, Greenfinch 33.

Seabirds ;  Diver sp. 1, Gannet 3.

General ;   the Slavonian Grebe was picked up dead after hitting telegraph wires, Hen Harrier 1.

15th     Southerly passage ;  Whooper Swan 6, Pink-footed Goose 119 + 16 inoff, Barnacle Goose 5, Lapwing 86, Stock Dove 5, Wood Pigeon 140, House Martin 1, Meadow Pipit 6, Mistle Thrush 1.

Grounded migrants ;  Stock Dove 1, Waxwing 2 at the Church, Robin 11, Stonechat 3, Blackbird 45, Fieldfare 64, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 11,Chiffchaff 2, Goldcrest 3, Firecrest 1, Chaffinch 12, Siskin 5, Snow Buntiing 16 at the Point.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 13, Gannet 2, Bonxie 1, Little Gull 13, Kittiwake 5, Guillemot 1, Razorbill 1.

General ;  6 Bewick’s Swans flew south before u-turning and 2 Tundra Bean Geese  landed in the Church Field before returning north, Hen Harrier 1, Sparrowhawk 5, Peregrine 1.

16th     Southerly passage ;  Pink-footed Goose 1230, Greylag Goose 4 u-turned, White-fronted Goose 1, Bean Goose 2, Lapwing 14, Stock Dove 47 + 15 out NE, Wood Pigeon 86 + 3 out NE, Skylark 56, Swallow 1, Meadow Pipit 43, Fieldfare 2, Jackdaw 9, Rook 4, Goldfinch 6, Siskin 2, Twite 1, Lesser Redpoll 1, Snow Buning 8.

Grounded migrants ;  Great-spotted Woodpecker 1, Short-eared Owl 1, Skylark 5, Meadow Pipit 6, Rock Pipit 1,  Robin 27, Black Redstart 1, Stonechat 1, Blackbird 50, Fieldfare 2, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 3, Mistle Thrush 1, Blackcap 4, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 8, Brambling 1, Greenfinch 45, Goldfinch 9, Siskin 4, Linnet 4, Snow Bunintg 30

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 4, Gannet 4, Yellow-legged Gull 1.

General ; Brent Goose 112, Teal 31, Pochard 1, Scaup 15, Eider 2, Common Scoter 50  all on the Humber, Water Rail 2, Hen Harrier 1, Sparrowhawk 4, Merlin 1, Peregrine 1, Jack Snipe 1, Avocet 1, Barn Owl 1.

17th     Southerly passage ;  Teal 18, Lapwing 16, Meadow Pipit 2, Fieldfare 8, Redwing 1.

Grounded migrants ;  Meadow Pipit 2, Rock Pipit 1, Blackbird 52, Fieldfare 7, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 24, Mistle Thrush 1, Blackcap 3, Chaffinch 5, Brambling 1, Greenfinch 6, Goldfinch 2, Reed Bunting 4.

General ;  Teal 19, Hen Harrier 1, Water Rail 1.

18th     Southerly passage ;  Bewick’s Swan 6, Brent Goose 1, Goosander 2, Lapwing 20, Meadow Pipit 2, Jackdaw 22.

Grounded migrants ;  Meadow Pipit 1, Blackbird 30, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 2, Blackcap 2, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 3, Greenfinch 36, Snow Bunting 2.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 3.

General ;  Wigeon 93, Teal 11, Mallard 41, Water Rail 1.

19th     Southerly passage ;  Velvet Scoter 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Lapwing 3, Skylark 2, Meadow Pipit 2, Rock Pipit 2, Goldfinch 2, Linnet1, Lesser Redpoll 3.

Grounded migrants ;  Skylark 3, Meadow Pipit 1, Robin 19, Stonechat 1, Blackbird 28, Fieldfare 2, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 4, Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 1, Brambling 2, Greenfinch 41, Goldfinch 2, Siskin 1.

General ;  Common Scoter 80, Water Rail 1, Yellow-legged Gull 1.

21st     Southerly passage ;  Whopper Swan 4 east, Merlin 1, Lapwing 11, Skylark 8, Meadow Pipit 23, Rock Pipit 2, Snow Bunting 7.

Grounded migrants ;  Short-eared Owl 1, Meadow Pipit 13, Robin 36, Blackbird 37, Fieldfare 3, Song Thrush 2, Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 1, Chaffinch 5, Greenfinch 65, Siskin 8.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 1.

22nd    Southerly passage ;  Skylark 2.

Grounded migrants ;  Long-eared Owl 1, Short-eared Owl 1, Skylark 2, Shore Lark 1, Fieldfare 4, Song Thrush 4, Redwing 31, Blackcap 3, Goldcrest 1, Chaffinch 3, Greenfinch 56, Lesser Redpoll 2, Mealy Redpoll 1, Bullfinch 1.

General ;  Wigeon 19, Teal 6, Common Scoter 85, Hen Harrier 1, Water Rail 2, Woodcock 1.

23rd     Southerly passage ;  Sparrowhawk 3, Wood Pigeon 7, Skylark 4, Goldfinch 9, Lapland Bunting 1 north.

Grounded migrants ;  Rock Pipit 1, Robin 27, Blackbird 30, Fieldfare 1, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 5, Blackcap 3, Goldcrest 1, Chaffinch 4, Greenfinch 84, Linnet 1, Snow Bunting 27, Yellowhammer 5, Reed Bunting 6.

General ;  Wigeon 109, Teal 7, Peregrine 1, Woodcock 1.

24th     Southerly passage ;  Wigeon 12, Skylark 4, Meadow Pipit 1, Rock Pipit 1, Siskin 6.

Grounded migrants ;  Long-eared Owl 1, Skylark 10, Meadow Pipit 2, Rock Pipit 2, Robin 24, Stonechat 3, Blackbird 152, Fieldfare 23, Song Thrush 11, Redwing 14, Blackcap 3, Goldcrest 1, Jackdaw 2, Starling 33, Chaffinch 11, Brambling 2, Greenfinch 79, Goldfinch 3, Siskin 11, Snow Bunting 27, Reed Bunting 10.

General ;  Wigeon 20, Scaup 3, Common Scoter 200, Water Rail 4, Woodcock 1, Barn Owl 1.

25th     Southerly passage ;  Wigeon 43, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Golden Plover 70, Lapwing 17, Knot 2, Dunlin 19, Blackbird 1 in off the sea.

Grounded migrants ;  Skylark 1, Stonechat 2, Blackbird 55, Fieldfare 6, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 2, Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 4, Brambling 1, Greenfinch 65, Lesser Redpoll 1, Snow Bunting 18.

General ;  Red-throated Diver 8, Water Rail 3.

26th     Southerly passage ;  Brent Goose 3, Wigen 7, Mallard 2, Common Scoter 4, Knot 1.

Grounded migrants ;  Skylark 1, Blackbird 32, Fieldfare 1, Song Thrush 1, Blackcap 1, Starling 11, Chaffinch 2, Brambling 1, Greenfinch 31.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 3, Gannet 4.

General ;  Water Rail 1, Hen Harrier 1.

27th     Southerly passage ; Mute Swan 1, Pink-footed Goose 99, Velvet Scoter 1 north, Lapwing 3.

Grounded migrants ;  Skylark 3, Stonechat 1, Blackbird 35, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 1, Blackcap 1, Chaffinch 5, Brambling 2, Greenfinch 58, Goldfinch 1, Lapland Bunting 1, Snow Bunting 20.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 16, Great Northern Diver 1, Gannet 2, Kittiwake 2.

General ;  Whooper Swan 1, Eider 6, Wigeon 17, Hen Harrier 1, Peregrine 1, Water Rail 1.

28th     Southerly passage ; Eider 5, Common Scoter 6, Rock Pipit 1,  Goldfinch 2, Reed Bunting 1.

Grounded migrants ;  Robin 15, Blackbird 37, Fieldfare 2, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 1, Blackcap 1, Chaffinch 34, Goldfinch 1, Snow Bunting 20, Reed Bunting 1.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 11, Gannet 1, Cormorant 3, Kittiwake 1, Guillemot 1.

General ;  Lapwing 105.

29^th      Southerly passage ; Teal 9, Eider 2, Waxwing 4.

Grounded migrants ;  Blackbird 43, Fieldfare 2, Blackcap 1, Chaffinch 1.

Seabirds ;  Gannet 1, Kittiwake 1.

30^th      Southerly passage ;  Skylark 8, Meadow Pipit 27, Siskin 6.

Grounded migrants ;  Short-eared Owl 1, Richard’s Pipit 1 on Clubley’s Field, Meadow Pipit 25, Rock Pipit 1, Robin 34, Blackbird 39, Fieldfare 2, Song Thrush 4, Redwing 2, Blackcap 3, Chaffinch 9, Greenfinch 57, Goldfinch 7, Siskin 1, Lesser Redpoll 1, Snow Bunting 10, Reed Bunting 6.

General ;  Brent Goose 114, Wigeon 23, Teal 20, Water Rail 3.

Andy Roadhouse

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